Inspired, encouraging, serving and seeking… Together in life’s joys and challenges… Making a difference! 

Church Christmas Schedule

The Longest Night Service and Full Christmas Eve Program at Old North Church, Marblehead Services at

The Old North Church, Marblehead

35 Washington Street

Marblehead, MA, 01945

4th Sunday of Advent – Sun, Dec 24, 2023 10:00am @ Sanctuary

Family Worship – Sun, Dec 24, 2023 5:00pm

Lessons and Carols – Sun, Dec 24, 2023 8:00pm, full choir

Lessons and Carols – Sun, Dec 24, 2023 11:00pm, with Communion

Family Christmas Eve Service – Dec 24, 10am

In The Sanctuary at First Church in Swampscott

A celebration of the Christmas Story read by our children, with Christmas Carols, and prayer as we rejoice in Christ’s birth.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – Dec 24, 9pm

In The Sanctuary at First Church in Swampscott

Come join us as we tenderly welcome Jesus’ birth, with a service of lessons and carols and the sacrament of Communion.

Christmas Day Brunch – Dec 25, 10am

In Clarke Hall at First Church in Swampscott

We will have casseroles, bacon, sausages, home fries and drinks.  

The office will be closed Dec 24 to January 3.

Epiphany Sunday – Jan 7, 10am

In The Sanctuary and Clarke Hall at First Church in Swampscott

We celebrate the last Sunday of Christmas and the first Sunday of Epiphany. Join us for a catered celebration lunch after worship.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Sunday – Jan 14, 10am

At Bethel AME Church in Lynn, MA

We join with the congregation and pastoral leadership of Bethel AME, Lynn for a joint service hosted at Bethel AME, Lynn at 10:00am, at 72 Silsbee St Lynn, MA 01901 .

Missions Team:  

The Missions Team invites you to support our Christmas offerings this year. Each year, on your behalf, we choose a charitable organization to receive the proceeds of our offerings over the Christmas season. With many crises breaking around the world, this year we decided to focus once again on the plight of the refugee. We invite you to support ShelterBox USA this Christmas. ShelterBoxes help people who have lost everything – not just their home and belongings, but practical tools and equipment that create a framework for everyday life. Since each disaster is different and each affected community is different, they customize their aid to suit the needs of the affected population. You can visit their website to learn more at: www.shelterboxusa.org.

There are other opportunities as well including:

Alternative Gift Market is a longtime tradition led by Julia Wistran and supported by the

Mission team, where you may purchase meaningful gifts that benefit people here in the United States and around the world. Julia will be available on December 17 in Clarke Hall. For more information, check out the opportunities table outside of Clarke Hall for Alternative Gift Market catalogs or visit www.alternativegifts.org.

Gift cards for guests of My Brother’s Table (requested amount is $20) for grocery stores, CVS, Walgreen’s, or Dollar Stores: The Missions Team will deliver the cards to My Brother’s Table and offers two options. You can purchase the gift cards and leave them in the collection plate, or the Missions Team will happily take donations to buy the cards.

Also, read above about Coats Donations below.

Please join the Stephen Ministry and Caregiving Team for a Christmas Morning Brunch on Monday, December 25th from 10 AM to 11 AM. We will have casseroles, bacon, sausages, home fries and drinks.  

COATS! COATS! COATS!

Lynn superstar Peter Cipriano is collecting gently used winter coats. After collecting the coats they go to Anton’s cleaners to be cleaned and then distributed to organizations all over New England for men, women and children that are in need. The coats are always free to anyone in need. If you, or anyone you know would like to donate a coat please porch drop off at 18 Merrill Ave Lynn 01902. The Missions team will add a bin in the Narthex as well.

January 3-February 11, 2024-Entire Townhome available for rent-Seaside View of Lynn and Nahant Beach

I will be travelling for 5 weeks and wish to offer my townhome for rent during this time.

Please contact me if you are interested in hearing more.

Thank you, 

Danna

danna.gobel@gmail.com

Communion 2024:

We are formulating a communion committee for 2024.

If you are interested in helping out, call Carole Bannister 781-775-3107

Training will be provided.

Spiritual Conversations with Coffee

Group led conversations before church, about scripture and the life of faith, and the journey we are on with God and each other.

====================================================================

Al-Anon is an organization that offers experience, strength and hope to families who are

struggling with alcoholism and addiction. It is a very safe place to share the challenges of

difficult family situations.

We at Al-Anon are very grateful to the First Church of Swampscott which has offered us space

to hold our meetings

Tuesday nights at 7:30

Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the library

Thursdays at noon in the library

Please join us

For more information, please email Jodie at jodierobbin@gmail.com or Laurie at

lsueasher@gmail.com

The First Church Swampscott

40 Monument Avenue

Swampscott, MA 01907

Senior Pastor: The Rev. Ian Holland

Director of Music Ministries: Patricia Clark

Church Council 2022-2023

Clerk: Sharon Thomas

Treasurer: Sharon Scofield

Members: Diana Beaupre, Betty McNeil, Susan Hamilton,

Clarke Orzalli (chair), Heidi Whear, Melissa Foye